Odisha fake IAS officer arrested for ₹20 lakh job fraud in Bhubaneswar
Synopsis
A man posing as a promoted IAS officer promised a coveted Odisha Mining Corporation post, collected ₹20 lakh in instalments, and handed over forged appointment letters — until police tracked him to a hideout in West Bengal's Hooghly district. His prior fraud cases in Odisha suggest a serial pattern of exploiting job seekers through fake government credentials.
Key Takeaways
Rabinarayan Das , 40, was arrested from Hooghly district, West Bengal on 10 July for impersonating a promoted IAS officer of the Odisha Government.
The accused allegedly defrauded complainant Manoranjan Pradhan of ₹20 lakh via online transfers and cash, promising a Deputy General Manager post at Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) .
Das provided forged appointment and interview letters purportedly from the OMC; the fraud was uncovered when the victim verified the documents.
Das has prior cases — a job fraud at Lingaraj Police Station and a cyber fraud at Jajpur Cyber Police Station — indicating a serial pattern.
Co-accused Manoj Kumar Lenka is also named in the case; investigation is ongoing.
In a separate case, a 52-year-old man was arrested for impersonating an Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharavelnagar, Bhubaneswar .
Commissionerate Police on Friday, 10 July arrested a 40-year-old man from West Bengal for allegedly impersonating a promoted IAS officer of the Odisha Government and defrauding a job aspirant of ₹20 lakh. The accused, identified as Rabinarayan Das, a native of Kendrapada district, was picked up from his hideout in the Uttarpara area under Hooghly district of West Bengal.
How the Fraud Was Executed
According to police sources, Das falsely introduced himself as a promoted IAS officer in the Odisha Government and, with the alleged assistance of co-accused Manoj Kumar Lenka, promised the complainant — Manoranjan Pradhan — a position as Deputy General Manager in the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). Believing the assurances, Pradhan reportedly paid ₹20 lakh in instalments through both online transfers and cash payments on different occasions.
Das subsequently provided Pradhan with forged appointment and interview letters purportedly issued by the OMC. Upon independent verification, the victim discovered the documents were fabricated, prompting him to file a complaint at Lingaraj Police Station in Bhubaneswar.
Investigation and Arrest
Investigators examined bank transaction records and other relevant documents, tracing the financial trail back to Das. Acting on credible intelligence, Commissionerate Police conducted a raid in Hooghly district and apprehended Das from his hideout. The case was registered at Lingaraj Police Station on the basis of Pradhan's complaint.
Prior Criminal Record
Verification of Das's criminal history revealed this is not an isolated incident. He was previously implicated in a similar job fraud case also registered at Lingaraj Police Station, and in a separate cyber fraud case at Jajpur Cyber Police Station in Odisha. This pattern suggests a serial offender who has repeatedly exploited job seekers by leveraging fake government credentials.
Second Impersonation Case in Bhubaneswar
In a separate but related development, Commissionerate Police also arrested a 52-year-old man who allegedly impersonated an Additional Superintendent of Police and was involved in an altercation with a person within Kharavelnagar police limits in Bhubaneswar. The two cases, though distinct, underscore a growing pattern of government officer impersonation in Odisha.
Both arrests reflect heightened vigilance by the Commissionerate Police against fraud involving fake government identities — a trend that preys on the desperation of employment seekers in a competitive job market. Investigators are expected to pursue leads on co-accused Lenka and examine whether additional victims may have been targeted.
Point of View
Which raises uncomfortable questions about why earlier arrests did not prevent a repeat. Job fraud exploiting fake government identities is a structural problem in states with high public-sector aspiration and limited verification infrastructure. The OMC angle is particularly telling: government mining corporations, with their promise of stable salaries and perks, are prime bait for fraudsters who know aspirants will pay large sums for a credible-sounding offer. Until digital verification of officer identities is made accessible to ordinary citizens, this gap will continue to be exploited.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rabinarayan Das and what did he do?
Rabinarayan Das is a 40-year-old native of Kendrapada district, Odisha, who was residing in Hooghly district, West Bengal. He allegedly posed as a promoted IAS officer of the Odisha Government and defrauded job aspirant Manoranjan Pradhan of ₹20 lakh by promising him a Deputy General Manager post at the Odisha Mining Corporation using forged documents.
How much money was the victim defrauded of and how was it paid?
The victim, Manoranjan Pradhan, paid a total of ₹20 lakh to the accused across multiple occasions through a combination of online bank transfers and cash payments. He was subsequently given fabricated appointment and interview letters from the Odisha Mining Corporation.
Does Rabinarayan Das have prior criminal cases?
Yes. Police verification revealed that Das was previously involved in a similar job fraud case registered at Lingaraj Police Station and a separate cyber fraud case at Jajpur Cyber Police Station in Odisha, indicating a pattern of serial offending.
Who is the co-accused in this case?
The co-accused is Manoj Kumar Lenka, who allegedly assisted Das in luring the complainant with the false promise of a government job. Lenka's arrest status was not specified in the available information.
Were there other impersonation arrests in Bhubaneswar at the same time?
Yes. In a separate case, Commissionerate Police also arrested a 52-year-old man who allegedly impersonated an Additional Superintendent of Police and was involved in an altercation within Kharavelnagar police limits in Bhubaneswar.
